The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

CHAP. XI. By what Authors and Counsils it might probably be that that Greek Version came forth, which obtains under the Name of the Seventy.

I. IT was made and published without doubt not for the sake of the Jews, but of the Heathen. We have Josephus a witness here in his story of the Seventy; granting him to be true in that relation, what moved Ptolomey so greedily to desire the Version, to purchase so small a Volume at such vast expenses? Was it Religion? Or a de∣sire of adorning his Library? By that paint does Josephus colour the business: but reason will dictate a third cause, and that far more likely. For both the Jewish and Heathen Writers teach, that Egypt at that time was filled with an infinite multitude of Jews: and what could a prudent King, and that took care of himself and his Kingdom, do else, than look into the manners and institutions of that Nation, whether they consisted with the peace and security of his Kingdom; since that people was contrary to the manners and Laws of all other Nations.

When therefore he could neither examine nor understand their Law, which comprized their whole Religion, Polity, and Occonomy, being writ in Hebrew; it was necessary for him to provide to have it translated into their Vulgar Tongue. Hence arose the Versi∣on of the five Elders, as we may well suppose; and lest some fraud or collusion might creep in, the assembling of the Seventy two Elders was occasioned hence also. And does it not favour of some suspicion, that he assembled them being altogether ignorant what they were to do? For let reason tell us, why we should not rather give credit to the Talmu∣dists writing for their own Country-men, than to Josephus writing for the Heathen. And if there be any truth in that relation, that when he had gathered them together, he shut them up by themselves in so many chambers, that still increaseth the same sus∣picion.

II. Let it be yielded that they turned it into Greek: which as we have seen, is doubt∣ful; yet the speech in the Gemarists is only concerning the Books of Moses, and concern∣ing the Law only in Josephus. Who therefore Translated the rest of the Books of the Holy Volume? It is without an Author perhaps, should we say, the Jerusalem Sanhedrin, but not without reason. For,

III. The Jews, wheresoever dispersed through out the World, and they in very many Regions infinite in their numbers, made it their earnest request, that they might live and be governed by their own Laws, and indeed they would live by none, but their own. But what Prince would grant this, being altogether ignorant what those Laws were? They saw their manners and rites were contrary to all other Nations; it was needful also to see, whether they were not contrary to the peace of their Kingdoms. That very jealousie could not but require the Version of those Laws into the common Language, and to force it also from them, how unwilling soever they might be. The great Sanhe∣drin therefore could not consult better and more wisely for the safty, and security, and re∣ligion of the whole Nation, than by turning their Holy Books into the Greek Language, that all might know what it was that they professed. They could not but see, but those Books would at last, though they were never so unwilling, come forth in the Vulgar Language; nor could they hinder, but they would every where happen into the hands of the Heathen: therefore that it would be far better, that a Version should come forth by their care and authority, which might be according to their pleasures; than that some should come forth in one place, and some in another, which perhaps might turn to the disgrace of the Holy Text, or to the danger and reproach of the Nation, or might too much lay open the Holy Mysteries among the Heathen.

By these Authors, and by these reasons, I confess ingenuously, it is my opinion, that that Version was made, which goes about under the name of the Seventy. Nor are there some things wanting in the Version it self, which hint some such counsil in the pub∣lishing of it. For,

IV. Even a blear Eye may see clearly enough, that it was hammered out, and dressed with more caution, than conscience; more craft than sincerity: 1. That as much as might be, the Holy Books might remain free from any reproach or cavilling of the Heathen. 2. That they might soften some things, which might be injurious to the Jewish Nation, either as to their peace, or reputation; or which might create offence to the Gentiles. 3. That the mysteries, and the bare truth of the Holy Books might be revealed as little as possibly could be, to the Heathen. All which might be demonstrated by such num∣berless examples, as to leave no occasion to doubt of that matter, behind it.

By these and the like cautions and subtilties was that Version made; where in the Tran∣slators had less care, that the Interpretation should come out sincere and true; but pro∣vision was chiefly made, that any thing should be thrust upon the Gentiles so it were without danger, and that the Glory and safety of the Jewish Nation might be maintained. And may it be allowed me to speak out what I think. Among the various Copies and Editions of this Version, which go about; I do not esteem that Copy for the most genu∣ine, which comes nearest to the Hebrew Text, but that which comes nearest to the mind of the Translators in such like cautions.

It is said, as we saw before, that when the five Elders had turned the Law, That day was bitter to Israel, as the day wherein the Golden Calf was made. And why? Because the Law could not be turned according to all things convenient to it. Did their grief arise hence, because it was not turned, nor could not be, clearly, exactly and evidently enough, that the Heathen might see the full and open light of it? Who will believe that this ever was the Jews desire or wish? But their trouble proceeded rather from hence, that those five had not Translated it cunningly, warily and craftily enough, as the Gentiles were to be dealt withal.

Of this matter there was care enough taken in this Version: the Authors setting all their strength and wits on work, that, according to their own pleasures, it might come forth such as they would have it; and might serve their purpose both as to themselves, and as to the Gentiles. This they established, and strengthned by their own authority, not as a pure Version, and such as was to be recommended to their Countrymen, but as fit enough to stop the mouths and satisfie the curiosity of the Heathen; and lest any among them might attempt another, in which those cautions and provisions might not be sufficiently observed.

This they laid up in their Sanhedrins and Synagogues, that it might be ready, and shewn to the Heathen, as a Symbol and token of the Jewish Law, Faith, and Religion, if at any time the matter, and necessity called for some such thing.

We grant therefore to Justin Martyr, that that Version was in the Synagogues and hands of the Jews: but one would not conclude from that, that it was read in the Syna∣gogue instead of the Hebrew Text. And we will yield also to Tertullian, that that Versi∣on was read at Rome in his age in the Synagogues of the Jews; but being compelled so to do, by that suspicion, whereof we spake; namely, that it might be known to all, what the Law and Religion of the Jews was, whether it consisted with the Roman Government. Our Question is, whether the Hellenists chose to themselves the reading of the Greek Version, and neglected the Hebrew Text: and seeing for the most part they lived by their own Laws and Ordinances, you will hardly any where shew me, especially in the times of the Apostles, concerning which we speak, or in the times before them, that they were compelled to reject the one, and to read the other.

And as to that which is objected concerning Philo and Josephus; tis no wonder if they writing for the Heathen, followed that Version, which was designedly made for the Heathen.

But that is of the greatest weight of all, which is objected concerning the Evange∣lists and Apostles, who embraced that Version in their quotations out of the Old Testa∣ment? To which the Answer is very easie. Namely, Those Holy Writers had to do with two sorts of men, Jews and Gentiles: the Volume of the New Testament was in the hands of both. A Gentile desires to examine the quotations, which are brought out of the Old Testament. But not understanding the Hebrew, whether should he go, but to the Greek Version, which he understands. So that it was not only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, out of condescension, that those Holy Writers followed the Greek Version, but out of pure necessity: for otherwise it was impossible, that their allegations out of the Law and the Prophets could be examined by the Gentiles. And if a Jew having the New Testament in his hand, should complain and quarrel, that in their quotations they de∣parted from the Hebrew Text, they had an answer ready, viz. This very Version

which is cited is that very same, which ye have writ, published, and propounded to the World, as the Symbol and token of your Law and Religion, and as your own very Bible.

If we would designedly attempt a full disquisition concerning that Version, we might, it may be, more at large demonstrate all these things which have been spoken, by various instances, reasons and methods. But let this suffice at present. This discourse was raised by occasion of the mention of the unknown Tongue, Chap. XIV. which we suppose was Hebrew: formerly used in the Hellenistical Synagogue of the Corinthians, and which they would retain, being now converted to the Gospel: too much wresting to Judaism the gift of Tongues, in the same manner, as they did the other privileges, and ordinances of the Gospel: and using an unknown Language so much the rather, because the gift of Tongues was granted from Heaven, using it to an end plainly contrary to the gift it self; unhappily perverting it, and not requiring, not admitting now an Interpreter, which before was done by them, as if they thought God had given unknown Tongues, to be unknown to all, besides those to whom they were given.

In what I have said of the Greek Version, and of the not reading it among the Hel∣lenists, I know, I have very learned Men differing in their opinions from me; and here∣tofore I my self was of a contrary judgment: Whence, I hope, the Reader will be the more easily perswaded, that I do not speak these things from a desire of contention, but from a serious enquiry, as far as I am able, into the thing, from often repeated thoughts, and a most hearty desire of searching after truth.